Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is guidance given by a health professional (genetic counselor or medical geneticist) who is trained to help people understand their risk of getting a disease related to genetics or of having a child with an inherited (genetic) disease, such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, or hemophilia.

Genetic counseling may involve:

Teaching a parent or couple about how a specific disease is inherited or passed from parents to a child.

Discussing what problems a genetic disease may cause.

Discussing whether and how to test for a genetic disease before a woman becomes pregnant or before a child is born.

Discussing the likelihood, based on test results, that the couple will have a child with a genetic disease.

Helping a person adapt to the risk of developing a genetic disease such as Huntington's disease. Genetic counselors also can help a person deal with having a disease related to genetics.

Helping individuals, couples, or families make decisions about genetic testing and any related actions that are right for them.

By

Healthwise Staff

Primary Medical Reviewer

Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical Reviewer

Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics

Last Revised

November 3, 2011

eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from Healthwise

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